Improvement in bits for safety-bridles



S. S. PETERSHElM'.

Bits for Safety-Brdies.

Patented April 30', 1872.

Inventor:

. NITED STATES PATENT Grrrcn,

SAMUEL S. PETERSHEIM, OF (GROFFS STORE P. O.) UPPER LEACOCK TOWN- SHIP, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN BITS FOR SAFETY-BRIDLES.

Specification formingr part of Letters Patent No. 126,231, dated April 30, 1872.

I, SAMUEL S. PETERSHEIM, of Grois Store Post Otlce, Upper Leacock township, in the county ofLanca-ster and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Bits for Satety-Bridles, of which the following is a specification The nature of my invention relates to that class of safety-bridles in which the bit is made to draw up in the horses mouth for the purpose of bringing him under subjection, but in such a manner as to lock this action and prevent the bit from rising under all ordinary pulling, for the purpose of guiding the animal, as in the use of an ordinary bit, yet so that, should the horse attempt to run or become ungovernable, a strong pull on the line or rein will disengage the lock, and act upon the bit to draw it upward.

The accompanying drawing making a part of this specification illustrates the arrangement and construction of the bit and its application to a bridle.

Like letters refer to like parts.

Figure l shows its application and parts on the horse, mode of attaching the gag-rein, bit, and cheek-pieces to the head-stall. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one side of the bit and attached strap. Fig. 3, an enlarged plan view, the dotted lines showing the parts concealed. Fig. 4 illustrates the lock-catch and spring. detached.

The bit P has its outer ends made to slide in a semicircular ring, Q, connected, by crossheads between apair of semicircular plates, A

A', jointly forming nearly a true circle. These plates A A also form the bearings, and conne between them a large pulley, D, and roller E. x

The inner plate A has a slotted projection, U, to which the cheek or blind-strap is attached when used with harness or blind-bridle. Between these aforesaid plates A A there is a lock and sliding arrangement made with two Thus doubled, a rivet, R, connects the strap O O, through the said plate N, to give it more durability in its connection to the lever-box or sides T. This box is closed at its other end for a stout perforated head, G, and ring H for the reins, thus connecting the reins with the metallic slide and lock-box and the lever-straps O O, which extend upward on the horses cheeks to a clevis, V, and rin gW, from which the strap Xis continued to the head-stall. The ring Wis well adapted for attaching the gag-rein, as shown in Fig. l. There is also a spring, M, with an eye for a pivot, m.. This spring has a shoulder, k, against which the drop-catch Ifalls on thrusting the sliding box T back, and prevents the same from being easily drawn out. This spring is curved and bent down in front at K, as shown, and rests upon one face of a square cross-block, L, which has an eccentric action adjusted by a screw, so that a greater or less tension may be made to act upon the spring. 'In case women or children should require a more easy withdrawal, this block, by its eccentric perforation, can be changed in its position to slacken or strengthen its action on the spring M K. The relative position of these parts is shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3, together with the main pulley D,frictionro1ler E, lever-reins O O, slid ing box T Gr, and ring H.

The operation is simple and readily understood. I may briefly state that when neatly made their appearance is highly ornamental. The object had in View is shown in sundry inventions, andis not new, but to remedy a serious objection arising from acting more or less constantly, when simply desiring to guide or check the horse, to the great annoyance of the animal. The lock-catch and spring connection prevents this constant irritation, being, for all purposes, the same as an ordinary bridle-bit 5 and yet, in cases of emergency, it constitutes a a powerful safety-bit and bridle arrangement.

I am not aware that among any of the safetybits or bridles this arrangement has ever been used substantially in the manner shown and specified.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The arrangement of the box or draw-head T F G, with its ringH for the reins at one end, and connected at the other with the lever-strap O O, when said box is provided with a dropdraw-head or sliding; box T F, with its applica'tch, I, and spring f, substantially in the nianences, and Jlille shouldered spring` M K, all comner and for the purpose specified. bined and operating jointly with the lever- 2. I also cla-im the shouldered spring M K, straps O O and rein attachment at H, to conmadc adjustable by the eccentric-block L, in stitute a,- safety-bridle, substantially as and for combination with the drop-catch I, jointly opthe purpose shown and described.

erating in the manner und for the purpose set S. S. PETERSHEIM.

forth.

3. I claim the arrangement of a safety-bit, Witnesses: P, with its side pieces A A Q combined for W. B. WILEY, the reception of the pulleyD friction-roller E, JACOB STAUFFER. 

